Eminem, born Marshall Mathers in 1972 and raised in Detroit, was signed by Dr. Dre and became one of the best-selling artists ever, with more than 220 million records sold and 15 Grammy Awards. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) are the essential run. Browse Eminem vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on October 17, 1972 and raised in Detroit, Michigan. His independent debut Infinite (1996, Web Entertainment) failed commercially. His Slim Shady EP (1997) attracted the attention of Dr. Dre, who signed him to Aftermath Entertainment under Interscope Records. The Slim Shady LP (1999) became a cultural phenomenon, with his subsequent The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) further amplifying his commercial success. He launched Shady Records in 1999, signing 50 Cent, D12, Obie Trice, and others. His film 8 Mile (2002) and its soundtrack single Lose Yourself won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003. He has continued releasing material across multiple decades.
Eminem's sound combines hip hop, hardcore hip hop, horrorcore, midwest hip hop, and pop rap with his distinctive technical rapping ability - multisyllabic rhyme schemes, internal rhymes, intricate vocal cadences - and his use of personas (particularly Slim Shady) to engage with violent, satirical, and provocative themes. Dr. Dre's production has shaped portions of his commercial catalog.
Aftermath/Interscope pressings of the Eminem catalog have been issued in extensive color variant editions, retailer-exclusive pressings, and multiple anniversary editions including 20th anniversary editions of The Marshall Mathers LP.
Listeners new to Eminem typically start with The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) or The Eminem Show (2002).
